Siemens Mobile announced today that it has signed a contract with PetroCom LLC, the largest cellular provider in the Gulf of Mexico, to provide base station equipment that links to satellites and transmits voice and data using GSM(TM)/GPRS/EDGE technology.
PetroCom will be providing wireless coverage to oil platforms and ships in the open sea, ranging up to 180 miles offshore. This is the first time that Siemens will be providing equipment that will be installed in the open sea and linked via satellite.
Siemens was selected to assist PetroCom with their network upgrade and expansion thanks to a strong reputation as one the industry’s leading wireless network equipment manufacturers. PetroCom’s world-class network will be another deployment of EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) technology in the United States.
EDGE is a high-speed wireless data and Internet access technology that is capable of delivering peak data rates up to 470 Kbps. EDGE offers network operators an evolution path to mobile data and multimedia services with up to a three-fold increase of data throughput in the existing GSM spectrum.
EDGE technology also paves the way into mobile multimedia applications while offering the maximum in network investment protection. Additionally, EDGE offers consumers seamless worldwide voice, data and multimedia services through interoperability and convergence with GSM.
“Siemens is very pleased to be working with PetroCom as they seek to deliver the latest GSM wireless services to thousands of customers throughout the expansive Gulf of Mexico,” said Joerg Lippert, senior vice president and general manager, Networks Division, Siemens Information and Communication Mobile LLC.
“”Working with PetroCom to create a satellite-linked GSM network is a historical first for Siemens and PetroCom, and we are proud to be a part of this creative solution for the first digital cellular network in the Gulf region.”
“As one of the world’s leading suppliers of 3G network infrastructure, Siemens is recognized for its excellence and high-performance telecommunications equipment,” said PetroCom President and CEO Brad Parro.
“This strategic partnership further validates PetroCom’s business model in the Gulf of Mexico and brings together two cutting-edge pioneers in the communications arena.”
Siemens’ global track record of installing GSM networks with GPRS, EDGE and UMTS technologies has established the company’s reputation as an innovator. In fact, Siemens Mobile and NEC now have 30 3G/UMTS agreements, putting them among the top three infrastructure suppliers worldwide.
In Europe, the two companies have jointly established the first commercial 3G/UMTS networks (Great Britain, Italy, Austria) and have already installed approximately 25,000 UMTS base stations. More than three million customers currently use 3G/UMTS networks equipped with Siemens/NEC technology.
